rainbowtrekkers Junkersdorf

The building complex in which our kindergarten is located was built in the 1930s as an army site for the German Army in cancellation of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles on a demilitarized Rhineland. Towards the end of the war, forced labourer barracks were housed on the site. After the end of the Second World War until reunification, the site served the Belgian armed forces as so-called “Haelen” barracks. The area is still known by this name to many people in Cologne.

In Junkersdorf there are 50 places for children aged 1-6 years.

Our regular opening times are from Monday to Friday from 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Caregiving contracts cover 45 hours a week.

Registration is exclusively via the Internet portal “Little Bird”. If we can offer a free childcare place, we invite parents, whose childcare needs match our capacities, to a meeting.

The demand is greater than the available places. Therefore, we decide on the allocation of places – transparent for all parents – according to the following criteria (in descending order of importance):

• Siblings of the child already visit the receiving institution.
• The child fits into the receiving group in terms of age.
• Once the child has been admitted, the group will have a balanced gender mix.
• The parents share the values and educational concept of the institution and declare their willingness to enter into an educational partnership.

In Junkersdorf we have an interior space of about 550 square meters, all at ground level. While the multi-purpose room, the bistro, utility rooms and the rooms for the very youngest are facing Ulrich-Brisch-Weg, all group rooms open directly towards the outside area and garden.

The interior design by our pedagogical professionals aims to create an optimal balance between free play and educational activities.

The institution consists of three groups: the Bumblebees (approx. 10-12 one- to two-year-olds), the Butterflies (16-20 two- to four-year-olds) and the Dinosaurs (18-20 four- to six-year-olds).

The Butterflies’ group rooms are located in one wing of the building together with the multi-purpose room and the bistro, which are available to all children in all groups. The Dinosaurs’ and the Bumblebees’ group rooms are located in the other wing of the building. Each group has its own sanitary area.

The outdoor area offers space for physical challenge and communal activities as well as rest and relaxation areas. There is a natural area with a maze, raised flower beds, trees and tepee. There is also a large climbing frame, a small playhouse, sand pits, swings and a balancing bridge. A sealed area in the middle can be used as a driving track for bobby cars and bicycles or as a common area for social events.

The age-appropriate educational materials offer the children of all three groups exciting and varied play opportunities. The majority of these play opportunities are freely accessible to the children to enable them to play independently. The regular turnover of the materials provides the children with new learning stimuli again and again.

Through play, children have the opportunity to let their creativity run free, to explore the environment and to actively engage with it. The children gain new experiences and make new social contacts.

In Junkersdorf we follow the educational approach of home groups within the framework of a partially-open concept. The home groups enable the children to move around at certain times within a rather closed system and to open the doors at certain times. For the children, opening means getting to know and exploring their institution with all its functional rooms across groups.

Based on the children’s interests and on event-related educational situations and circumstances, the pedagogical professionals work closely in teams to develop topics for the children that can be integrated into the annual cycle and that are based on the existing curriculum.

In this way, we ensure that the children can engage with different traditional, cultural and social topics over the course of a year.

In close cooperation between the pedagogical staff, the principal and the administration, pedagogical contents are developed, current processes are jointly reflected and if necessary adapted.

A regular early music programme gives the children access to music, rhythm, singing and movement in a playful and fun way.

The perception of one’s own body and movement are elementary educational areas in daily work. Through a wide range of activities, the children are given the opportunity to sensitise the perception of their bodies and to live out their urge to move. For this purpose, they have access to the outdoor area as well as the multi-purpose room.

The daily routine in Lindenthal offers the children structure and security. The times can vary slightly depending on the groups. The same applies on days when special activities take place (excursions, projects, etc.).

Everyday pedagogical life in Junkersdorf is organised under the aspect of participation. The children are involved in the daily decision-making processes by the pedagogical professionals.

The institution does not currently care for children with special inclusion needs. However, this is possible in principle.

Our kindergarten is catered by a local catering company, which prepares lunch fresh and delivers it warm every day. The meal plan, which changes weekly, is put together and balanced in a child-oriented way. Breakfast and healthy snacks for between meals are provided by the pedagogical professionals.

Transitions are a challenging developmental task for children, which we sensitively structure and individually support in our kindergarten.

After one or two years in the Bumblebees group, there is a change to the Butterflies group and from there, after about two more years, to the Dinosaurs group. These internal transitions are gently designed and individually planned and prepared by the pedagogical professionals.

The transition from kindergarten to school is a milestone in every child’s life. One of our goals is to prepare each child for school according to his or her development. In the last year of kindergarten, the pre-school children in Junkersdorf take part in a bilingual pre-school program within the Dinosaurs’ group, which is jointly designed by multilingual professionals.

Our kindergarten cooperates with the Ildefons-Herwegen-Gemeinschaftsgrundschule, which is also located in Junkersdorf. The cooperation offers the possibility for children to gain a first impression of the school system and to exchange their skills and competences and to prepare them for starting school.

My name is Silke Biedermann and I am the principal of the rainbowtrekkers center in Cologne- Junkersdorf. I am born in Minden in Ostwestfalen, where a large part of my family still live, including my three adult children. I live with my partner in Cologne.

After my schooling, I first took the profession of chemical laboratory assistant. My own children and the contact to many other young families aroused my interest in child development and socialization processes. Therefore, over 15 years ago, I decided to study Social Education.

After my studies I gained experience in various fields. As a director of a project for early help for young families, in a language and reading promotion project, as a coordinator for a family center and as a kindergarten principal. I have been practicing this function for many years now with great pleasure.

It is important for me to have an open ear for all young and old people who are part of the kindergarten environment. I am happy to be a motivator or supporter for children, parents and team.

It is also important for me, in cooperation with all team members, to create spaces and opportunities for children in which they can develop individually as well as live out their exploratory urges. A good partnership with the parents is an important prerequisite for the children to feel safe and secure in order for them to pursue this exploration urge.

Hello! My name is Tiffany Garcia and I am the Group leader of the 4-6 year olds and the Deputy
Director at the Rainbowtrekkers Junkersdorf kita. I was born and raised in Oakland California, and I’ve
been living in Germany for 5 years with my partner in Frechen with our two rabbits Luna and Popsicle.
I’ve been part of the Rainbowtrekker family since 2016, starting at the Widdersdorf kita and then
moving my way to the Junkersdorf kita in 2018.
I received my Associates degree in Early Childhood Education, and later my Bachelor’s degree in
Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, and finishing off with my Master’s
degree in Early Childhood Education with a credential in Early Childhood Special Education. Overall, I
have 20 years of experience working in the Early childhood field.
Being in Germany, I have had numerous opportunities working with a variety of multicultural
families, establishing safe and trusting relationships between parents, children, and colleagues. I feel
honored to bring my expertise into the Rainbowtrekkers kita’s and I have enjoyed my time thus far, and
look forward to my continued growth both personally and professionally.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, dancing, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
So, if you see me in the hallway, please be sure to say hello! I’d love to get to know you